Treatments Why wood needs protection- Forces of weather are devastating to wood. Rain, snow and morning dew are quickly absorbed by unprotected wood, causing it to swell. When the sun's heat dries wood, it causes shrinking. These cycles of wet and dry, swelling and shrinking causes wood to warp, split, crack and discolor.           Moreover, horizontal deck surfaces hold water for prolonged periods of time, accelerating the damage. Dampness attracts fungi, pollen, mold, etc which collect and cause undesirable discoloration. Horizontal surfaces are subject to 40-50% more sunlight than vertical surfaces. This results in unique thermal damage. The Process- 1. Evaluation- When evaluating a deck, age, discoloration, prior sealing/staining methods, and damage all have to be assessed. Experience is needed to determine if a deck needs cleaning or stripping, if boards or structure merely need refinishing (or if the need replacing) and if there is termite damage and wood rot that might be a deterrent to the process. 2. Cleaning/Stripping the deck surface- The two principles in this process that make a HUGE difference are materials used and power washing methods. O.C. Deck uses the BEST commercial formula for cleaning and stripping wood. Check our before and after pictures to see the difference. When washing the cleaners and strippers away from the wood, if improper washing mechanics are used, (or a bad power washer) your deck will look uneven, splotchy, and scratchy. 3. Brightening the wood- After cleaned, a brightener is sprayed on to pull out the original, "new" look to your wood. 4. Sanding- Never sand your deck if boards are too uneven, or if nails/screws are not properly set. For decks that apply, sanding will always bring out the best results. Sanding smooths out the deck while bringing even more of the wood's original color to surface. O.C. Deck uses the best commercial deck sander on the market for all horizontal surfaces. 5. Staining/Sealing- Staining your deck is a must! Check out staining/sealing page for colors and types of stains to choose from. O.C. Deck uses the highest quality and longest lasting stains on the market.